Celtics ready to make ‘Godfather offer’ for No. 3 pick if Jahlil Okafor is available, per report
The Celtics are looking for a star and Okafor might be it, but will the 76ers actually accept Boston’s big offer?
If the Lakers are indeed leaning towards selecting D'Angelo Russell with the No. 2 pick, the Celtics are trying to trade for the No. 3 pick in the hopes of selecting Jahlil Okafor, reports ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
"A lot of rival executives believe Danny Ainge of the Boston Celtics is prepared to give a Godfather offer to get in there for Jahlil Okafor if he's available at 3 — including multiple first-round picks, potentially Marcus Smart, who knows what he'll put on the table," Windhorst said on SportsCenter, according to NESN.com.
ESPN’s Marc Stein confirmed that the Celtics are willing to trade Smart to move up in the lottery.
The Celtics have been rumored to be looking to trade up for weeks leading to the draft, as they have two first round picks this year along with a war chest of future draft selections in their possession. They are looking for a star to complement the bevy of quality young players in their roster. Okafor could be that franchise player for Ainge and he’s ready to pull the trigger if he’s available, according to the report.
The Duke big man was at the top of mock drafts for most of the year thanks to his advanced offensive game. The concerns about his ability to defend in space and protect the rim are causing his stock to drop, but if he improves his fundamentals and awareness, his 7’5” wingspan should allow him to become a neutral defender at worst. That’s what the Celtics are surely hoping for, at least.
For the 76ers, drafting Okafor makes little sense since they already have Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid on their roster. Embiid projects to be a dangerous post scorer in his own right while also providing rim protection. He's suffered injuries that have kept him off of the court so far, but it would be unwise for Philadelphia to give up on such a quality prospect so early in his career.
That said, the offer would have to be too good to pass up for general manager Sam Hinkie to even consider trading down. SB Nation’s 76ers site Liberty Ballers doesn’t see Boston being able to put together a strong trade package.
The Sixers are looking for a superstar (REAL BAD) and dropping down to 16 and picking up some more 7th men from our division rivals doesn't seem maybe like the best way to do it.
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